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2011 IHMRS Show Coverage

Industry suppliers recognized the need to stay in front of decision-makers for the business opportunities it will afford as the industry continues to rebound, while buyers were compelled to attend for the latest products, services and education geared towards the economic times. The importance of walking key shows really came to light this year.

Last year, the Show may have had three IPAD applications for the food service operator. Some 12 months later, the show’s technology section was overflowing with IPAD apps for everything from wine lists to loyalty programs. Attendees could snatch a glimpse of what the Javits could look like when major renovations are completed in October 2013. The $463 million project will transform the complex into a light-filled, energy efficient structure while adding 110,000-sq.-ft. of exhibit and support space. New York is the greatest city in the world and our industry and community deserves a building to go with that. That preview came with a walk through the new Javits North building that hosted the Boutique Design New York (BDNY).

The co-located event featured more than 200 interior product manufacturers of high-end, unique and innovative design products for hospitality. The Show celebrated the coronation of John Fitzpatrick, who served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the 2011 International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show® (IHMRS). Fitzpatrick, the CEO North America of the Fitzpatrick Hotel Group, brought more than 20 years of industry experience spanning the globe to the 96th annual Show. Fitzpatrick began his impressive career in Ireland, where the Fitzpatrick name is synonymous with hospitality. He led his family hotel group to great heights by achieving notable recognition in the United States over the past 15 years. Also serving on the 2011 IHMRS Board of Directors are Joseph Spinnato, president, Hotel Association of New York City; Jan Chesterton, president, New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association; Joe McInerney, president and CEO, American Hotel & Lodging Association; Vijay Dandapani, president, Apple Core Hotels; Michael Hoffman, president, Turf Hotels; Pedro Mandoki, president, Mandoki Hospitality Group; Tony Mangano, vice president, Syramada Hotel Corporation; and John Russell, CEO, Advaya Hospitality.

With last month’s opening of the City’s first casino: Resorts World in Queens, it seemed fitting that IHMRS debuted The Hotel F&B Zone. An edited exhibit division of statement-making products for hotel, resort and casino food and beverage operations debuted at the Show. The Hotel F&B Zone featured manufacturers and distributors of bar equipment; beer, wine and spirits; software and technology; buffet ware and catering accessories; and specialty food and beverages.

“The Hotel F&B Zone was created to accommodate the sourcing needs of food and beverage executives from across the country who attend the IHMRS annually, offering them a defined, exclusive area in which to shop for products,” said Lynn White, show manager. “This included executives from casinos, hotels, military lodging, and resorts.” Educational programming specific to the evolving hotel food and beverage industry complemented the Hotel F&B Zone, included the Hospitality Leadership Forum Keynote Luncheon on Saturday, November 12.

“Thought for Food: How Celebrity Chefs Cook up Business” featured Chefs Daniel Boulud of Dinex Group, Floyd Cardoz of the North End Grill and Dan Kluger of ABC Kitchen. The top toques addressed how smart hoteliers are turning poorly performing food operations into culinary hotspots at hotels and resorts around the world. On Sunday and Monday, related seminars discussed “Upgrading After the Downturn: Maximizing Hotel F&B Renovations,” and “Missed Opportunities in Hotel Food and Beverage Operations.”

Both seminars have been developed by the American Hotel & Lodging Association Food & Beverage Committee. It appears Metro New York has become the center of the hospitality design universe. Once again the International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show® (IHMRS) announced winners of the 31st annual Gold Key Awards for Excellence in Hospitality Design at a breakfast ceremony during the Show. Honorees were selected by a panel of industry experts from a field of more than 150 projects representing 24 countries. The Awards were sponsored by Interior Design and Hotels magazines. Topping the list of the 31st annual Gold Key Award winners were: New York City’s Rockwell Group who won top Lounge/Bar honors for the Chandelier at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

Highlighting the breakfast ceremony, Gold Key sponsors Interior Design and Hotels magazines presented the 2011 Designer of the Year distinction to San Francisco-based BAMO, a firm with an international reputation for exceptional design of luxury hospitality properties, including The Carlyle in New York, the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, The Taj Mahal Hotel & Towers in Mumbai, India, and many more. Also during the ceremony, NEWH, Inc., the Hospitality Industry Network, presented its sixth Icon of Industry Award to Harvey Nudelman of Fabricut. A $5,000 scholarship in Harvey’s name was awarded to Santiago Arcila, a student currently enrolled at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

TFS always enjoys a toast at IHMRS with the large “Big Red” contingent from Cornell University. On “Show-Monday” the Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration gathered at Bryant Park Grill, New York for their annual industry reception. Founded in 1922, was the first collegiate program in hospitality management. Today it is regarded as a world leader in its field.

The school’s highly talented and motivated students learn from 60 full-time faculty members - all experts in their chosen disciplines, and all dedicated to teaching, research and service. Learning takes place in state-of-the-art classrooms, in the on-campus Statler hotel, and in varied industry settings around the world. The result: a supremely accomplished alumni group-corporate executives and entrepreneurs who advance the industry and share their wisdom and experience with their students and faculty. In addition to producing many of the industry’s most iconic Tri-State leaders including Myriad Restaurants Drew and Tracy Nieporent. Dennis Sweeney, SHA ‘64, was partner in some of the world’s most famous restaurants, including Windows on the World, the Four Seasons and the Rainbow Room. Katie Grieco, SHA Master of Management in Hospitality ‘97, is vice president of operations for Craft Holdings owned by “Top Chef” judge and star Chef Tom Colicchio and Will Guidara, SHA ‘01, was general manager of Eleven Madison Park restaurant, and has recently teamed to purchase the eatery’s lease from Danny Meyer. A unit of the Cornell School of Hotel Administration, The Center for Hospitality Research (CHR) sponsors research designed to improve practices in the hospitality industry. Under the lead of the center’s 77 corporate affiliates, experienced scholars work closely with business executives to discover new insights into strategic, managerial and operating practices. The center also publishes the award-winning hospitality journal, the Cornell Hospitality Quarterly. Besides planning a wide variety of events throughout the year, the CHS New York Chapter maintains close communication with area alumni, Cornell University and the Hotel School. The annual event also toasted Administration to The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation. The foundation recently committed a $3 million gift to name the Marriott Student Learning Center. The new center will reconfigure the school’s current Nestlé Library and George B. Mallory ‘54 Student Lounge

into a facility designed to enhance student learning in the digital age. “The Marriott family has had an active relationship with the school since the 1950s, and we are grateful to have their incredible gift as we create a student center for the twenty-first century,” said Michael D. Johnson, dean and E. M. Statler Professor at SHA. “We are honored that this new space will be the Marriott Student Learning Center. “Fine dining doesn’t need to be stuffy,” he said. “We’ve added personality to service, to give people a sense of comfort.”

Guidara said he’s seen too many fine dining restaurants close because of the economy. “You don’t have to be high class to be first class,” added Sweeney, borrowing a quote from world-famous restaurateur Joe Baum ‘43. Happy retirement wishes to New Jersey Restaurant Association Vice President of Events & Allied Relations Judy Richards who will retire at year’s end. “We were again pleased to partner with the International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show for the 13th year,” said Richards, “NJRA members attend this Show for their purchasing needs, in addition to seeing what is new and exciting in the marketplace. Through this partnership, we are able to offer our members VIP access to the Show where the industry’s top decision-makers convene for three days.” Anchoring the NJRA area was the spectacular E&A Restaurant Supply booth anchored by Al Green.

The NJRA Foodservice Arena is one of the most popular features of the Show, attracting thousands of restaurateurs from the tri-state region and around the world. Product categories featured within this space included beverages, credit card and payroll systems, cutlery, equipment, furniture, oil and grease systems, packaging, and table linens, as well as services such as architecture, design, construction and culinary schools.
The Arena was enhanced this year with the addition of specialty pavilions, including International Flavors, Green Solutions, Business Solutions and Pizza Solutions. Additionally, the NJRA Education Center, inaugurated in 2010 with a series of peer-to-peer seminars about current industry subjects will continue.

“The success of the IHMRS depends greatly on strategic relationships such as this,” said Lynn White. “It’s through these partnerships that unique destinations are created on the Show floor, generating buzz and excitement. The NJRA produces a fantastic Foodservice Arena each year that serves as a central location for the Show’s foodservice professionals, and this year was no exception.”

Established in 1942, the NJRA has become an essential ingredient for successful and professional restaurants in New Jersey through its representation and education of the Garden State’s 23,000 eating and drinking establishments generating $13 billion in annual sales and employing over 300,000 people. Eating and drinking establishments, vendors, non-profits, schools and students are eligible for membership.

TFS once again teamed with the show’s management team at GLM and M. Tucker a division of Singer, NY LLC. to sponsor the return of The New York Marketplace. Exhibiting companies included Cardinal International, Libbey, Southbend, Oneida, Captive Aire, Turbo Air, Day & Night, Scandia Seafood, Manhattan Beer, and Cafe Sacco. The latest in foodservice equipment, design, supply trends, and food and beverage took center stage. The show within the Show, the 2011 Marketplace offered cooking demonstrations, food samplings, wine and beverage tastings, and more. “We are thrilled to work with our partners to bring some of the industry’s top movers and shakers to the show floor,” noted TFS co-publisher Leslie Klashman. The Marketplace also served as a backdrop for TFS creative duo of Mike Scinto and Ross Moody to debut the 21-year-old publication’s dynamic new look. In addition, the Kitchen Arts and Letters bookstore returned to the Marketplace with signings by today’s hottest authors. Ron Suhanosky signed his new: The Italian Table and broke news of his new one table restaurant that will open later this month. Award winning photographer Alan Battman spoke about his Sandwiches of the World book.
The Book program featured a much-anticipated visit from NYC Chef/restaurateur Gabrielle Hamilton Blood. Christina Tosi’s discussion of how her Momofuku Milk Bar menu includes milk poured over cereal and then used to bake was a huge hit. The Meatball Shop duo of Micheal Chernow and Danile Holzman brought show-goers inside the phenomenon that has exploded into a mini-empire.

Ina Lipkowitz came from Boston to sign and discuss her new Words to Eat By. The Institute of Culinary Education instructor Kathryn Gordon signed her new Les Petits Macarons. Maxime Billet unveiled the secrets of the Modernist Cuisine and its 2500 pages. Chef Jonathan Dixon discussed his matriculation at the CIA and legendary Chef Anita Lo signed her Cooking Without Borders. The TFS seminar program for the 2011 edition of the New York Marketplace was highlighted by NY Food Truck Association chief David Weber who brought a step-by-step game plan for aspiring food truck entrepreneurs. The Schechter Report’s Mitchell Shecter outlined What’s Hot What’s Cold What’s New In Foodservice Equipment. Mark Kelnhofer delivered his views on Return on Ingredients.

The CIA’s John Canner discussed Tacos, Tapas, Tips & Trends. Constant Contact’s Wendi Caplan-Carroll held a session on Social Media Marketing Made Simple. Two of Metro NY’s most influential kitchen design consultants Bob Doland and James Feustel of Jacobs Doland Beer teamed with Wood Bain’s Kent Bain to present An Architect’s Guide to Commercial Kitchens. ConEd’s Rebecca Reich discussed How To Make “Cents” Of Energy Efficiency. Metro New York’s healthcare food service community brought a pair of dynamic Sessions to the Marketplace.

Marcia Diamond discussed: What the Restaurateur Can Learn From the New Healthcare Food Service Operator. Tony Almedia of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and Hubert Co’s Teri Kopp teamed to host A Look Inside The Success Of The New Healthcare Food Service Operator. Many notable operators including Robert Valenti of Fairleigh Dickinson, AVI Foodsystems’ Steve Dawson, Jack Yuppa of Culinary Ventures Vending, Fairview Country Club’s Timothy Clinton, Sharon Makara of St. Luke’s Roosevelt and Onieals’ Chris Onieal. For the past 20 years,TFS has always looked forward to participating in the judging at the Editors’ Choice Awards at IHMRS.

The Awards recognize best new products within the categories of design, equipment & supplies, guest amenities, tabletop, and technology, as well as an eco-friendly equivalent to each of these categories.
From the 10 winners, the Kenneth F. Hine’s Best of Show Award also was selected. The 2011 Editors’ Choice Award winners were: Kenneth F. Hine “Best of Show” ­Corkcicle (Orlando, FL) for the Corkcicle Wine Chiller, an innovative product that keeps white wine cold and brings room temperature red wine down to cellar temperature, eliminating the need for messy ice buckets. TFS saw a number of innovative solutions for the Metro New York food service professional. Topping that list were CookTek’s OmeletBuster, a double burner induction cooktop that has revolutionized breakfast egg stations with enough power in each burner to cook a three-egg omelet in 90 seconds, which won the Green Equipment & Supplies award.

The judging process previewed that the 2011 Show would be the year of Bamboo. Bugambilia’s new Bamboo Leaf Plate won for its platter in the shape of a leaf, made from all natural bamboo fiber and free of any plastic, formaldehyde or melamine. The Penn State Hotel and Restaurant Society used the Show as a backdrop to honor Randell A. Smith, the chairman and co-founder of STR, was named 2011 Hospitality Executive of the Year by the school at the 50th Hospitality Executive of the Year Award Dinner and inducted into the Penn State Hospitality Hall of Fame. CIA Alums gathered at a reception on the Monday night of the Show at the Heartland Brewery at the Empire State Building. TFS enjoyed the annual Naples 45 Networking Event. The Tri-State’s leading corporate foodservice and healthcare professionals, dealers, consultants and manufacturer’s representatives came to compare Show notes after a day on the Javits’ floor.

The Show marked the debut of new GLM chief Charlie McCurdy. The veteran Show exec is leading a new holding company financed by Providence Private Equity that recently completed a purchase of the White Plains based firm. With the excitement of a very busy New York Metro restaurant scene and additional resources for Show management, the ever-improving facility at Javits and a new subway stop on the horizon, TFS notes you need to pencil in next year’s Show dates of November 11th thru 13th, 2012.